The day started with an unusual tension.
Elena noticed it the moment she walked in—the assistants spoke in hushed tones, emails pinged with unusual urgency, and Mrs. Greene typed faster than Elena thought humanly possible.
"Something wrong?" Elena whispered as she set her bag down.
Mrs. Greene didn't glance up. "You'll find out soon enough."
Not the most comforting answer.
A moment later, Alexander's office door opened. He stood in the doorway, sharp as ever, his navy suit immaculate, his expression carved from ice.
"Conference room. Ten minutes." His gaze flicked to Elena. "Bring your notes."
And just like that, he disappeared again.
---
The conference room on the top floor was more intimidating than the office. A long glass table stretched beneath crystal lights, surrounded by high-backed leather chairs. Elena took a seat near Alexander's right hand, flipping open her notepad.
She didn't have long to wait.
The doors swung open, and in walked a woman who seemed to bring the storm with her.
Sophia Bennett.
Elena recognized her instantly—her face had graced more business magazines than she could count. CEO of Bennett Global, one of Frost Enterprises' fiercest competitors. Tall, striking, with dark red hair that caught the light like fire, Sophia moved with the confidence of someone used to commanding every room she entered.
"Alexander," she purred, sliding into a chair across from him. "Always a pleasure."
"Sophia." His voice was cool, polite, but edged with steel.
Her eyes flicked to Elena, assessing, curious. "And who is this?"
"My assistant," Alexander said without hesitation. "Miss Carter."
Elena managed a polite nod. Sophia's smile was slow, deliberate, like a cat sizing up prey.
---
The meeting began.
It didn't take long for Elena to understand why Sophia was considered dangerous. She was sharp—razor sharp—twisting numbers and phrasing to suit her advantage, sliding traps into conversations that less careful negotiators might stumble into.
But Alexander matched her blow for blow.
His voice was calm, unyielding, every counter precise. The room felt like a battlefield, invisible sparks flying across the glass table. Elena's pen raced across the page, trying to keep up.
At one point, Sophia leaned back in her chair, her lips curving into a smile. "You haven't lost your touch. I'd almost forgotten how much I enjoy our… sparring."
Alexander's jaw tightened, though his expression remained cool. "Business isn't a game, Sophia."
"Oh, darling," she drawled, "everything's a game."
Elena's stomach twisted. There was history here—unspoken but palpable, threading through every word.
---
The meeting dragged on for nearly two hours. When it finally ended, Sophia rose gracefully, smoothing her crimson dress.
"I'll be in touch," she said, her eyes lingering on Alexander a beat too long. Then, turning to Elena: "Good luck, Miss Carter. You'll need it."
With that, she swept out, leaving the faint scent of expensive perfume in her wake.
Silence hung heavy in the room.
Elena risked a glance at Alexander. His expression was unreadable, but the tension in his posture betrayed him.
"Mr. Frost?" she ventured carefully.
"Return to your desk," he said curtly, gathering his papers.
The ice in his tone left no room for argument.
But as Elena left the room, one thought burned in her mind:
Who exactly was Sophia Bennett to Alexander Frost?
And why did the mere sight of her seems to rattle the man who never bent for anyone?